Apparatus for testing the force required to release a ski boot binding

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE FORCE REQUIRED TO RELEASE A SKI BOOT FROM A RELEASABLE BINDING, THE APPARATUS COMPRISING A FOOT-SHAPED FORCE TRANSMITTING BODY ADAPTED TO BE FITTED INTO A SKI BOOT MOUNTED ON A SKI BY A BINDING WHICH IS OPERABLE TO RELEASE THE BOOT IN RESPONSE TO THE IMPOSITION OF PREDETERMINED FORCES ON THE BOOT IN DIRECTIONS LATERALLY AND LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SKI. THE FOOTSHAPED BODY IS ARTICULATED TO SIMULATE THE ACTION OF THE HUMAN FOOT AND ANKLE AND IS PROVIDED WITH AN ACCESSIBLE COUPLING DEVICE BY MEANS OF WHICH TORSIONAL FORCES IN EITHER OF TWO MUTUALLY NORMAL PLANES OF ROTATION MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO THE BOOT. THE TORSIONAL FORCES MAY BE APPLIED BY A CONVENTIONAL TORQUE WRENCH.

KAEHLER APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE FORCE REQUIRED March 23, 1971 TORELEASE A SKI BOOT BINDING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9. 1968 INVENTOR.

Fredric H. Kuehler pdmau MM ATTORNEYS March 23,1971 F. H. KAEHLERAPPARATUS FOR TESTING THE FORCE REQUIRED TO RELEASE A SKI BOOT BINDING 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1968 3 INVENTOR.

Fredric H. Kaehler ATTORNEYS March 23, 1971 F. H. KAEHLER 3,572,105

APPARATUS FOR TESTING THE FORCE REQUIRE!) TO RELEASE A SKI BOOT BINDINGFiled July 9, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.7

/ FIG. 9

INVENTOR.

Fredric H. Koehler ATTORNEYg United States Patent 3,572,105 APPARATUSFOR TESTING THE FORCE RE- QUIRED TO RELEASE A SKI BOOT BINDING FredericH. Kaehler, 1314 Owana Ave., Royal Oak, Mich. 48067 Filed July 9, 1968,Ser. No. 743,357

Int. Cl. G0115/03 US. Cl. 73-133 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREApparatus for testing the force required to release a ski boot from areleasable binding, the apparatus comprising a foot-shaped forcetransmitting body adapted to be fitted into a ski boot mounted on a skiby a binding which is operable to release the boot in response to theimposition of predetermined forces on the boot in directions laterallyand longitudinally of the ski. The footshaped body is articulated tosimulate the action of the human foot and ankle and is provided with anaccessible coupling device by means of which torsional forces in eitherof two mutually normal planes of rotation may be transmitted to theboot. The torsional forces may be applied by a conventional torquewrench.

The invention disclosed herein relates to apparatus for testing thereleasability of a ski boot binding of the kind which is adapted torelease the boot whenever a predetermined force is applied on thebinding in any one of a number of different directions. Virtuall all ofthe releasable bindings are adapted to release a boot when the latter issubjected to a twisting force either to the left or to the right of thelength of the ski, and to a torsional force applied to the binding in adirection longitudinally and forwardly of the ski. Such bindingsconventionally have means for adjusting the force which may be withstoodby the binding prior to its release of a boot, the adjusting means beingneces sary so as to compensate for the weight and skill of theindividual skier and for the kind of skiing to be done. In the absenceof some kind of apparatus which is capable of indicating with reasonableprecision the lateral and longitudinal forces which may be withstood bythe binding, however, it is impossible to set the binding of either skiaccurately, or to adjust the bindings of a pair of skis so that theirsettings correspond to each other. Even if the binding of one ski is setproperly, an improper setting of the binding of the other ski stillmakes the possibility of injury to the skier more pronounced thanotherwise may be the case.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus which is capable oftesting the force required to release any releasable ski binding byimposing on the binding forces of the kind encountered under actualskiing conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide testing apparatus of thecharacter referred to and which is capable of enabling the bindings of apair of skis to be adjusted uniformly.

A further object of the invention is to provide such testing apparatuswhich is so constructed as to simulate the forces imposed on a bindingby the movements of a skiers leg and foot during skiing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a typical "ice releasablebinding and boot illustrating the testing apparatus in condition fortesting lateral release of the binding;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, of the testingapparatus removed from the boot;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the apparatus incondition to test the for-ward release capability of the binding;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view, on a reduced scale, illustrating theapparatus shown in FIG. 3 in use;

FIG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the operation ofthe testing apparatus in a direction forwardly of the ski;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, on thefoot-shaped member forming part of the test apparatus;

b FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the foot-shaped FIG. 8 is afragmentary, top plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a torque wrench adapted for use inconjunction with the test apparatus;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are isometric views of adapter members forming part ofthe torque transmitting means;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, exploded view of a slightly modifiedembodiment; and

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a modified adapter for use with theembodiment of FIG. 12.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted foruse with a conventional ski 1 fitted with any one of a number ofdifferent kinds of releasable bindings, a typical one of which isindicated generally by the reference character 2. The binding 2 includesa toe clamp 3 which is pivoted as at 4 on the longitudinal axis of theski and has an upstanding post 5 which overlies the toe portion of thesole 6 of a typical ski boot 7. The clamp 3 is capable of pivoting aboutthe axis of the post 4 and the freedom with which the clamps may pivotmay be regulated by an adjusting screw 8.

The binding 2 also includes a cable 9 having a rear loop 10 which passesaround the heel 11 of the boot and is accommodated in a groove 12 formedin the heel. Guides 13 are fixed to the sides of the ski 1 toaccommodate the cable 9. The forward end of the cable 9 is adjustablyaccommodated in a forward clamp 14 which may be adjusted so as toposition the rear loop 10 closer to or farther from the toe clamp 3.

Depending on the resistance to rotation of the toe clamp 3 about theaxis of the post 4, and depending on the position of cable 9 in theclamp 14, the greater or lesser will be the ability of the clamp 3 toresist torsional forces applied on the boot tending to rock it to theleft or to the right in the plane of the ski 1. Depending on theadjustment of the cable 9 in the clamp 14, the greater or lesser will bethe ability of the cable 9 to restrain forces imposed on the boot 7tending to rock it forwardly, or counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1,in the direction of the length of the ski.

During use of the ski, the forces tending to effect relative rockingmovements of the ski and the boot are transmitted by the skiers lowerleg and ankle, so the releasability of the binding has a direct bearingon the amount of stress which can be imposed on the boot before thebinding releases the boot or before some bone in the skiers leg isbroken.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention comprises anarticulated force transmitting body member 15 correspondingsubstantially to the shape of a human foot and ankle and being of suchlength and width as to be fitted into the boot 7. The body includes alast 16 hav ing a toe portion 17 which preferably is pivoted as at 18 soas to simulate the toes of a human foot. The toe portion need not bepivoted to the last 16, however, particularly if the apparatus is to beused with boots having rigid soles. The last 16 also includes a heelportion 19 which is pivoted, as at 20, to a member 21 correspondingsubstantially to the human ankle and lower leg. A compression spring 21apreferably is interposed between the members 19 and 21 and normallymaintains the member 21 in the upright position illustrated in FIG. 6,but the member 21 may be rocked counterclockwise against the force ofthe spring 2111 to the position indicated in dotted lines of FIG. 6. Astop or shield 23 preferably is secured in any convenient manner to thelast 16 so as to overlie the forward end of the member 21 and preventpinching of any part of the boot. The shield is not essential, however.

If desired, a post 2111 may be fixed to the member 19 so as to projectinto an opening 210 in the member 21. The post may fit within the spring21a, if the latter is used, and the opening 210 is elongatedlongitudinally of the last, but has a transverse dimension such asfairly snugly to accommodate the pin 21b. The significance of thisconstruction will be referred to hereinafter.

Fixed in any suitable manner in the member 21 is an upstanding couplingmember or shaft 22 which preferably is of hexagonal cross section andprojects above the upper end of the member 21 in a positioncorresponding substantially to that of the tibia in a human leg. Theshaft 22 is adapted to transmit torsional force to the body about anaxis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the part 22 or,alternatively about an axis parallel to the axes of the pivots 18 and20.

Force applying means preferably comprises a conventional torque Wrench24 comprising a body member 25 (FIG. 9) from one end of which projects asquare drive lug 26. Extending from one side of the body 25 is a lever27 at the outer end of which is fixed a handle 28. A scale member 29 isfixed to the shaft 27 and has a slot 30 therein through which extendsthe free end of a pointer 31, the opposite end of which is secured tothe member 25. Suitable indicia 32 is provided on the scale member 29.

Forming part of the means for applying torsional force to the body 1about the axis of the shaft 22 is a fitting 33 having a tubular section34 which accommodates the shaft 22 and another tubular section 35 whichaccommodates the drive lug 26. A fitting 37 (FIG. 11) forms part of thecoupling means for applying a torsional force to the body 15 about anaxis parallel to the axis of the pivot 20 and comprises a tubular part38 which accommodates the shaft 22 and a plate-like member 39 in whichis provided an opening 40 for the accommodation of the drive lug 26.

In an alternative construction, the member 21 may have a square orhexagonal coupling socket 42 (FIG. 12) in lieu of the shaft 22, and intowhich the drive lug 26 of the wrench 24 may be fitted for theapplication of lateral force on the ski boot. In this construction thefitting 37 may be replaced by a fitting 43 (FIG. 13) having a drive lug44 adapted to fit into the socket 42 and having a plate 45, similar tothe plate 39, in which there is an opening 46 for reception of the lug26 of the wrench 24. The device 43 may be used to apply longitudinalforces to the ski boot.

To condition the apparatus for use the body 15 is fitted into the boot 7and the latter laced in the usual manner. As the boot is laced, theankle portion 21 of the body will be forced rearwardly into engagementwith the rear of the boot so as to position the coupling shaft 22 in asubstantially vertical position. Since the ankle portion 21 will berocked rearwardly as the boot is laced, the spring 21a may be omittedbut it preferably is included to simulate more realistically the actionof the human ankle.

The assembled boot and body 15 may be placed upon the ski 1 and thebinding 2 adjusted to an approximate setting. The ski then should besecurely clamped to or held down against its support surface. Todetermine the proper setting of the binding the fitting 33 may be fittedto the 4 shaft 22 and the torque wrench 24 applied to the fitting 33, asis illustrated in FIG. 1, or the lug 26 may be fitted into the socket42, as in FIG. 12. The lever 27 then may be rocked in either direction,as is indicated by the arrow 41, so as to impose on the boot 7, via thebody 15, a torsional force parallel to the plane of the upper surface ofthe ski 1. The amount of force imposed on the boot will be indicated bythe pointer 31 in conjunction with the indicia 32 on the scale 29. Thepost 21b will prevent undue forces being imposed on the structure of thehinge 20.

The amount of lateral torsional force capable of being withstood by thetoe clamp 3 thus may be determined. The lateral torsional force whichmay be withstood by the toe clamp 3 may be adjusted by manipulation ofthe screw 8.

Following the adjustment of the toe clamp 3, the fitting 37 may besubstituted for the fitting 33 and the drive lug 26 of the torque wrenchmay be fitted into the opening 40. Alternatively, the fitting 43 may beused and the lug 26 fitted into the opening 46. The lever 27 then may berocked forwardly in the direction of the length of the ski, as isindicated by the arrow 42a in FIG. 4, thereby causing the ankle portion21 of the body 16 to pivot forwardly, as permitted by the longitudinalelongation of the opening 21c. Forward pivoting of the member 21 forcesthe latter against the front of the boot and causes the heel 19 to tendto lift and impose a force on the boot tending to lift the heel 11 ofthe latter. The force thus applied to the boot 7 will be indicated bythe pointer 31 in conjunction with the indicia 32, thereby enabling theforce which can be withstood by the cable binding 9 to be determined.

After the binding of one ski has been set in accordance withpredetermined release specifications, the binding of the other skisimilarly may be adjusted.

Suitable charts (not shown) setting forth recommended release forces maybe provided to serve as a guide for the adjustment of ski bindings inaccordance with the weight and proficiency of an individual skier andthe particular type of skiing to be done.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred formof the invention, but the disclosure is intended to be illustrativerather than definitive of the invention. The invention is defined in theclaims.

I claim:

'1. Apparatus for testing the force required to release a ski bootfitted to a releasable binding mounted on a ski, said apparatuscomprising rotaiy force applying means having means for indicating theforce applied thereby and to force transmitting means for transmittingto said boot the force applied by said force applying means, said forcetransmitting means comprising a foot-simulating body having length andwidth dimensions and adapted to be fitted snugly into said boot; andmeans for coupling said force applying means to said body when thelatter is in said boot for transmitting to the latter a rotary forceapplied to said body in the direction of the length thereof.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body includes a partthereof rockable about an axis.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said axis extends in thedirection of the Width dimension of said body.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said body has a shapecorresponding substantially to the shape of a human foot.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said body part comprises anankle portion hinged to rock about said axis.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including spring means acting onsaid ankle portion and constantly urging the latter to rock in onedirection.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein a rocking force is appliedto said body about a second axis substantially normal to thefirst-mentioned axis.

8. Apparatus for testing the force required to release a ski boot fittedto a releasable binding on a ski, said apparatus comprising rotary forceapplying means having means for indicating the force applied thereby andforce transmitting means for transmitting to said boot the force appliedby said force applying means, said force transmitting means comprising afoot-simulating body having length and width dimensions and adapted tobe fitted snugly into said boot; and means for coupling said forceapplying means to said body when the latter is in said boot fortransmitting to the latter a rotary force applied to said body in eitherof two mutually normal planes of rotation.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said body comprises a lasthaving a foot portion corresponding substantially to the shape of ahuman foot and including an ankle portion corresponding substantially toa human ankle.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said ankle portion ishinged to said foot portion to rock about an axis extending transverselyof said foot portion.

=11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said coupling meanscomprises a rigid part carried by said body and adapted for removablefitting to said force applying means when the latter is in one of saidplanes of rotation.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said coupling meanscomprising a coupling adapted for re- 5 movable fitting to said rigidpart and to said force applying means when the latter is in the other ofsaid planes of rotation.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said body comprises a lasthaving a foot portion corresponding substantially to the shape of ahuman foot and including a toe portion hinged to said last for rockingmovement.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including an ankle portioncorresponding substantially to a human ankle and means connecting saidankle portion to said last for rocking movements about an axis extendingtransversely of said last.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,192,767 7/1965 Outwater 73-1393,222,922 12/1965 Isaac 73-133 FOREIGN PATENTS 699,295 12/1964 Canada a-73-133 CHARLES A. RUEHL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 73-139

